Extension step-ladder



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. W. HAMMON.

EXTENSION STEP LADDER.

(No Model.)

Patented Feb. 6, 1894.

I No M10 deli 2 sheets -sheet 2. I E. W. HAMMON. EXTENSION STEP LADDER.

I 514,223. Patented Peb.i ,ll'8'94-* m! lumen. unmmmw eouuuv.

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* ;UNIT D STATEQ PATENT OFFICE;

EDWIN W. HAMMON,-- OF DAVISVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

EXTENSION STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 514,223, dated February 6, 1894.

Application filed my 29. 1893.

, To a/lZwhom'it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN HAMMON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Da- .visville, Yolo county, State of California, have invented'an Improvement in Extension and Step Ladders; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to improvements in combined extension and step ladders,'and consists in certain details of construction which will be more fully explained by ref erence 'to the accompanying drawings, in

' which-- I Figure 1 is a View of the ladder in position to be used as a step ladder. Fig. 2, illustrates the ladder extended. Fig. 3 shows the two parts of the ladderseparated. Fig. 4 is aperspective view of one of theclasps.

A A are the side rails having the steps B, and forming that portion of the ladder which is used as astep ladder.

O O are the side rails of that portion which forms a rear support for the step ladder when it is used as such, and D are transverse rounds fixed therein at a suitable distance apart so that they may be used for climbing, similarly to the steps B of the other portion, when the two are extended in line to form a continuous ladder.

When used as a step ladder, the two parts A and G are used with their bases upon the ground, the upper ends meeting like the letter A, and the top rounds B and D of the two parts stand approximately in a horizontal plane and close together.

The first portion of my improvement relates to a means for uniting the upper step B and the upper round D. This consists of two plates E and F pivoted respectively upon the bottom and top of the upper step, so that they are movable around their pivot pin. The lower plate E has its projecting end curved upwardly, as shown,and the upper plate F projects sufliciently beyond the step at the rear, so that its end will meet the up-turned end of the plate E.

In order to connect the two parts of the ladder, the plate F is turned parallel with the step and the upper round D of the rear portionis allowed to rest in the curved portion SerialNo. 481,390- (No model.)

of the plate E between it and the rear edge of the step B. The plate F is then turned so that its end extends out approximately into contact with the up-turned end of the plate E,

and this loosely connects the upper ends of the two ladders,'=;while preventing them from being separated.

G G are side bars, one end of each of which is pivoted near the lower ends of the side bars or braces O, and the opposite ends are attached by a pivot pin or rod I through the sides A of the step ladder, so that the two bars G stand at an inclination extending between the two parts of the ladder and firmly bracing and holding the two together. The

lower ends of the parts 0 are separated from each other a distance just equal to the space betweenthe upper ends of the parts A, but owing to the taper of the whole ladder, it will be manifest that when the parts are united to form a step ladder, the upper ends of the parts 0 will be narrower than the upper ends of the parts A, thus allowing of some adjustment by reason of the loose connection,

for, sidev movement on land which is not ex actly level.

In order to make the step ladder portion A as narrow as possible, and at the same time to provide suitable braces to stiffen it, and an enlarged base to give it firm support upon the ground, I have shown braces J extending diagonally from the lower step B downwardly and across the rear sides A below the step, being firmly secured to the step and the sides so as to stiffen the sides against side motion, and loosening. These braces J are extended outwardly beyond the sides A to a considerable distance, and are then bent inwardly so as as to pass beneath the lower ends of the sides A to which they are secured. This increases the base of the ladder without increasing the distance between the sides A so much as to make the ladder bulky, or to weaken the steps B by reason of too great length, and this widening of the base gives the ladder a firm support upon the ground, and in case of soft ground prevents its sinking too deeply therein.

I have improved the mechanism for connecting the two parts of the ladder when they areextended in line with each other as follows: Upon the side bars G are fixed the angle plates K having the ends bent inwardly so that when the upper end of the sides A, and the lower ends of the sides 0 (which are beveled to fit against each other) are brought into line, these bent ends of the plates K will rest against the bottom of the sides 0 as shown, and thus temporarily hold them in position; while the side bars G are pivoted upon the sides A sufficiently distant from the upper ends of A, and to the sides 0 sufliciently distant from their lower ends, so that when the sides A and O are in line, the bars G will extend along the outside, overlapping the beveled joints between the two. In order to permanently and firmly secure these parts together, I have shown peculiar clamps, consisting of plates bent so as to form clasping hooks L L, which fit around the bars G, and allow the clasps to slide upon them. Upon the same plates are the inwardly bent hooks M so constructed as to clasp the lower ends of the bars 0 and the upper ends of the side bars A.

The two parts are connected as follows: When the parts 0 have been moved around the fulcrum points of the side bars G until the parts A and O are in line, the clasps are slipped up, so that one of the inwardly turned hooks M on each clasp will clasp the lower end of the part 0, and the other hooks M will clasp the upper end of the part A, while the outwardly turned hooks L remain clasped around the side bars G, and the clamps rest upon the upper step B of the step ladder, thus holding it in place to firmly unite the two sections of the ladder and prevent their being separated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Inastep ladder, and in combination with the sides A and steps 13, the sides 0 with the cross-bars or steps D, the side bars pivoted respectively to the parts A and C so that the upper ends of the sections may be brought together, in combination with the device for connecting the upper steps of the two parts, consisting of the plate E pivoted to the lower side and havingthe up-turned end, and the plate F pivoted and swiveling upon the upper side of the step and adapted to close against the up-turned end of the plate E after the round D has been inserted therein, substantially as herein described.

2. In a step ladder, the sections A and O with the transverse steps, side bars pivotally connected with the two sections whereby the ends of the sections may be made to abut, and the sections stand in line'with each other, angle pieces fixed to the side bars and extending inwardly to serve as a rest for the sides C, and holding clamps slidable upon the bars G, having inwardly projecting hooks adapted to clasp the meeting ends of the two sections and lock them together, substantially as herein described.

3. In combination with the sides A and stops B of a step ladder, the angular braces J having their inner ends secured to a step intermediate points secured to the sides A, and the outer ends extending beyond the sides and turned inwardly to form bases which are secured to the lower ends of the sides A, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EDWIN W. I-IAMMON.

Witnesses:

S. H. NoURsE, J. A. BAYLEss. 

